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CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

Kelton

“Right here.” I stand in the open space and look around, moving in a complete circle.

“She’ll have nice space to sit out on a patio, a small pool, and even a hot tub.

Two bedrooms, one bath would be enough. Small eat in kitchen, with windows lining the back.

I’d like her to have a view of this open space here. ”

I walk a little further and stop, staring at the spot I’d picked out days ago.

I stare at the new weeping willow tree that my landscaper planted. “I want Liz to have this tree out her bedroom window.”

Jerry stands behind me, saying nothing, just listening to the plans I’d laid out with the contractor that would set this into motion. “When it gets big enough I want to have a custom swing built beneath, maybe some planters that Liz and I can plant with our mother’s favorite flowers each spring.”

I can already image Emerson sitting on the swing with our son or daughter at her side. Maybe reading them a book or telling them a story, both of them smiling, a little giggle as they move their legs making the swing sway.

It may be strange but it’s my way of feeling like my mom is right here with us, living this life. Being able to see my family grow and Liz being here for every part of it.

I love the fact that my child will have an aunt so attentive, strong-willed, and amazing influencing them.

“When do they get here?” Jerry asks and I look back over my shoulder to see him tapping away on his phone.

I watch, wondering if he’s heard I word I’ve just said. Then when he smiles, taps out another message and chuckles to himself within seconds after getting a response something inside me shifts.

“What do you want with my sister?”

That gets his attention. Lifting his gaze to see mine I can’t read him. Jerry isn’t the easiest person to dissect. He’s got what I call a poker face. It’s one of the biggest reasons I chose him as my agent. He is a hard ass.

He’d fought for my deal, and never once backed down. I’ll admit his persistence worried me that in the end I’d be passed over as Tennessee moved on to offer another player my deal. But when is was all said and done, I got everything I wanted with some added bonuses.

When it comes to my sister, we weren’t an agent and an athlete. I was a big brother and he was the guy that she’s shown interest in. I can’t tame the need to protect her.

“We’re friends,” he finally says, tucking his phone into his pocket. “We’ve hung out, we’ve laughed, she’s good company.”

“Friends?” My jaw tics with irritation.

“Not that kind of friends, Kelton,” Jerry insists.

“Alizabeth and I knew going in this was a sticky situation. I am your agent, and if things shifted between her and me that could cause a rift in my professional life. We’ve kept things friendly but not overly friendly.

I won’t lie and say that I don’t find her attractive.

I do, hell any man with eyes does I am sure. ”

“She comes before this.” I motion between us. “She gets hurt, this, it won’t work.”

“And that is why she and I can never be more than friends.”

“Because you’ll hurt her?”

“Not intentionally,” Jerry confesses, “but this life has never really left me time for the serious stuff. Women don’t like the traveling and the hours that come with the job I hold. I thrive if my athletes do, so that requires me to be invested.”

I hold his stare.

“I can’t be the guy that is home every night, cuddled on a couch and at a woman’s side. Liz deserves a guy that gives her his all, and I’m not that guy.”

“Don’t give her false hope,” I say.

“I don’t intend to.”

I wasn’t sure if this conversation made me feel better or worse. I’ve seen how my sister is when he is around. He may think he’s made it clear that it can’t be more, but I know she isn’t feeling the same.

His phone rings again and before we can say anything more, he turns and takes the call walking away.

And I don’t for a second buy that he feels nothing for Liz.

Someone that feels nothing doesn’t get jealous.

Someone that has no emotional attachment doesn’t talk to a woman every day at least once.

And a guy that doesn’t want to be just friends with a female isn’t fully invested on her whereabouts, where she’s planning on living, and when she’ll be here for good.

This conversation was short, but I have a feeling he and I will be revisiting it at some point.